Israeli security forces arrested a senior Hamas leader over his alleged West Bank activities on the terrorist group's behalf, according to a statement from the military.
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A combination of the IDF's elite Duvdevan Unit and Israel Security Agency officers arrested Sheikh Jamal Tawil in a predawn raid on Thursday.
"Tawil is a senior figure in the Hamas terrorist group in the West Bank, who recently took an active part in organizing riots, inciting violence and reforming Hamas's headquarters in Ramallah," according to the IDF.
Hamas denounced the arrest of its senior operative and was quick to assert that his detention would not hinder the group's operations in the West Bank.
"The arrest of Sheikh Jamal Al-Tawil will not silence the voice of the resistance in the West Bank. The sons of Hamas and its commanders are all soldiers of the resistance, and they will continue the path of freedom and liberation whatever the sacrifices," Hamas said.
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Hamas in the West Bank has vowed, possibly as a direct challenge to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas who recently canceled Palestinian legislative and presidential elections, to continue its disruptive activities in the disputed territories.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
